The iPad took center stage today, but Apple released a number of software …

The iPad took center stage during Apple's event today, but it's not the only improvement Apple rolled out on Wednesday. For those who haven't launched Software Update yet, here are some highlights from the new Apple offerings:

The iOS 5.1 update, which we discussed earlier today, includes two additional features we didn't see listed in Apple's release notes. After installing, iOS will allow downloads from the iTunes Store (including apps and music) up to 50MB over 3G/4G networks. That limit is up from the previous 20MB cap, ostensibly to allow more apps with Retina graphics or perhaps 1080p video to download over-the-air.

Some AT&T users who upgrade to iOS 5.1 will find an added "bonus" as well. Users connected to AT&T's HSPA+ network on an iPhone 4S will see a "4G" icon appear in the upper left hand corner. This allows AT&T to further differentiate itself from competitors Verizon and Sprint, though true "4G" really only applies to LTE devices.

As mentioned in our coverage from earlier today, the iTunes 10.6 update adds the ability to play 1080p HD movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store. This release includes multiple improvements for iTunes Match, including improved song matching and album artwork downloading and display. The update also addresses an issue where songs may skip when playing via iCloud.

When trying to update to iBooks Author 1.1 (which makes Retina display compatible iBooks, by the way) users will be asked to approve a new iTunes Terms of Service agreement. Within this agreement lies a bit of apparent news:

"Certain paid In App Subscriptions may offer a free trial period prior to
charging your Account. If you decide you do not want to purchase the In
App Subscription, turn off auto-renewal in your Account settings during
the free trial period."

It seems that Apple will now allow publishers to offer free trial subscriptions on iOS via in app purchase.

32 Reader Comments

Does this update fix the iMessage but on ATT? Currently ATT customers cannot use iMessage (since that security issue found awhile ago). It is still not possible to use iMessage if you, or the receiver is on ATT, it goes directly to regular sms.

Would be nice if this security issue have been fixed in this iOS release.

Does this update fix the iMessage but on ATT? Currently ATT customers cannot use iMessage (since that security issue found awhile ago). It is still not possible to use iMessage if you, or the receiver is on ATT, it goes directly to regular sms.

Would be nice if this security issue have been fixed in this iOS release.

Does this update fix the iMessage but on ATT? Currently ATT customers cannot use iMessage (since that security issue found awhile ago). It is still not possible to use iMessage if you, or the receiver is on ATT, it goes directly to regular sms.

Would be nice if this security issue have been fixed in this iOS release.

I send iMessages to AT&T users multiple times daily.

Same here. No idea what the OP is talking about.. imessage works great.

Well, the local ATT store verified that iMessage is no longer permitted. I assumed (wrongly it seems) that it was disabled for all ATT customers.

Have to love Alaska getting screwed again.

Realize that retail store employees are not a good source of information. If they really had a handle on the technology, they wouldn't be working in retail. This isn't an insult but rather just an acknowledgement of reality.

It is possible that they knew what they were talking about, but that shouldn't be the assumption. It might be worth seeking an answer from a more knowledgable source.

Does this update fix the iMessage but on ATT? Currently ATT customers cannot use iMessage (since that security issue found awhile ago). It is still not possible to use iMessage if you, or the receiver is on ATT, it goes directly to regular sms.

Would be nice if this security issue have been fixed in this iOS release.

Installed on my iPad Very Old (aka first gen) and to be honest, I can't tell that it's changed anything...

As the article and the linked article states you will only notice some changes in the following use cases:

• While connected to a HSPA+ mobile network you may see a new icon.• When downloading large apps over mobile networks you will now be able to download larger apps.• There will be a small change to genius and genius mixes.• Audio for TV shows and movies have a slightly different volume.• Podcast UI is slightly different.• A slightly different lock screen.

It is not meant to be a major overhaul, it contains a handful of small fixes and improvements.

Mobile Safari, on first launch (no open windows) no longer insists on wasting time bringing up the Bookmarks screen, considering that 99.9% of the time I want to go to a URL or search for something.

Was really getting tired of having to make that go away every time I wanted to do a simple search, a situation exacerbated by the freezing it does before it is fully loaded, giving the false impression you could start a search immediately but then HELLO SURPRISE BOOKMARKS!

This allows AT&T to further differentiate itself from competitors Verizon and Sprint, though true "4G" really only applies to LTE devices.

That's laughable!

As the 4G standards body got tired of waiting for the different Carriers to comply with the original 4G specifications that were laid out - and while the Carriers were marketing the term "4G" for sub-par specs....The Standards Group that oversees "4G" ultimately lowered their standards instead.

Well, the local ATT store verified that iMessage is no longer permitted. I assumed (wrongly it seems) that it was disabled for all ATT customers.

Have to love Alaska getting screwed again.

Realize that retail store employees are not a good source of information. If they really had a handle on the technology, they wouldn't be working in retail. This isn't an insult but rather just an acknowledgement of reality.

It is possible that they knew what they were talking about, but that shouldn't be the assumption. It might be worth seeking an answer from a more knowledgable source.

Agreed. Shannara - first rule is not to take what a retail employee says at face value. IF you are having that much trouble - I suggest contacting APPLE directly or at the least contacting ATT Customer Support thru their Website or primary number instead. But Apple is probably your best bet.

The retail employees get paid $8/hr (or watever amount) and they are there for a paycheck and to play with cool toys. Nothing more and they learn the very bare minium they can to get by doing their jobs. They have no real knowledge about a damned thing that they peddle and every once on occasion they have been known to actually be correct about something - but that's rare.

"This allows AT&T to further differentiate itself from competitors Verizon and Sprint, though true "4G" really only applies to LTE devices."

This is not up to Arstechnica's standards and needs a correction. If your going to pick a bone with AT&T please don't give Verizon and Sprint a pass for their slower then spec LTE networks. Would you call a fiber connection to my house that only runs at 128 Kbs broadband?

WHEN will Apple relent on the absurd policy of not allowing Apps to have built-in trials, rather than requiring everyone to have "Lite" and "Full" versions. Upgrading is often a huge hassle, and you typically lose your state, not to mention how "whack a mole" it seems to be to get permanently rid of an App.

HSPA+ and LTE both fail to meet the ITU 4th generation standard that was originally outlined. LTE-A is the only one considered to be "true" 4G by the ITU and I'm surprised to see this is being incorrectly reported by Ars.

Carriers pushed to use 4G in their marketing since they wanted a new buzzword and did not want to wait for LTE-A which is a standard that does meet the specs outlined by the ITU for 4h generation wireless.

This 2010 press release from the ITU is where the line began to blur:

"As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed."

While I'm rather disappointed that such a wishy-washy, assumption riddled article was written in the first place, I'm especially disappointed that no title update or correction to the article was made.

I'd like to be able to cite Ars as a source. However, when in the same breath I'd have to refute the erroneous attribution of the OTA download limit to iOS 5.1, it makes me want to use any old website with the correct info that a Google search returns, (there are plenty, Ars seems to be the only one lacking), and not give Ars the publicity.

HSPA+ and LTE both fail to meet the ITU 4th generation standard that was originally outlined. LTE-A is the only one considered to be "true" 4G by the ITU and I'm surprised to see this is being incorrectly reported by Ars.

Carriers pushed to use 4G in their marketing since they wanted a new buzzword and did not want to wait for LTE-A which is a standard that does meet the specs outlined by the ITU for 4h generation wireless.

This 2010 press release from the ITU is where the line began to blur:

"As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed."

yep, the ITA changed their minds. Wimax is included in that list as well as now being 4G.

given that all the curren 4G techs are substantially faster than the 3G techs being used I don't see the change as a big deal but more being logical. compare HSPA+ to Verizon's 3G speeds for example and you'll see why the new definition works better than the old 4G definition.